Vodafone problem?

Uncleben

Can anyone help?
I was a vodafone customer until August 2009 when I switched to 02. I have just been informed by Vodafone that they made a mistake with my last bill when I left them which resulted in Vodafone thinking £34 had not been paid to close the account (I always paid by direct debit so payments were never missed!?).
They have never contacted me about this outstanding payment and I only discovered it when I did an online credit check. Vodafone admitted that the mistake was due to their accounting, but they have registered the debt with all major credit organisations which has resulted in my credit rating being destroyed! This debt was never mine but they have now caused me huge problems!
Where do I stand legally and how do I restore my credit rating?
Thanks, Ben :mad:

grumbler

There are dozens of similar threads here. This is probably the most comprehensive one: Vodaphone Blacklisted me due to a clerical error. Please help
Generally, they can and they must correct the false records in the credit files. However, it will cost a lot of blood and nerves to make them doing this as this organisation is in such mess that they are simply incapable of correcting even the simplest errors. Try starting with their complaints procedure: http://www.vodafone.co.uk/vodafone-uk/contact-us/complaints/index.htm, but don't hold your breath.
Don't waste your time on telephone conversations with low-level CS that are absolutely useless.

Uncleben

Hi Grumbler
Thank you for your advice on this. I had a feeling that there would be many people with similar problems. Vodafone were painful to deal when I was a customer and I imagine this will take a while to clear up!

Buzby

How was the debt 'never yours'? I ask, as there are sometimes reasons why residual amounts at closure are applied to the account (part months, late unbilled calls etc), but if the user has cancelled their DD, or indeed even if Vodafone have cancelled it, an amount will still remain to be paid by other means. There is no mileage in claiming they had a DD so it was their responsibility to take it, the onus remains with the consumer to pay any amount owed.

However, if you contend that the amount VF claim is NOT owed, this is what you need to establish. If they agree and the a/c is cleared, any adverse information should be removed automatically (but ask to have them confirm this will be done). However, if the debt IS owed, you will be required to pay up, and the credit file information will remain as it reflected the true state of your account.